Registration increases in phase four
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has described the just-ended fourth phase of voter registration a success. The phase, which involved Balaka, Machinga, Zomba and Phalombe districts has seen the number of voters increasing from 796 005 in 2010 to 891 302 in 2013 representing 11.97 percent increase.
The commission said in a statement that of all the registered voters in the fourth phase, 392 530 are men representing 44.04 percent while 498 772 are women representing 55.96 percent.
The total number of registered voters for all the four phases has come to 2 877 802.
The statement added that at the beginning of the fourth phase, MEC faced some logistical problems on deployment of staff on the first day in Machinga to the extent that some centres did not operate on the first day.
“One centre failed to operate for one day because there was a funeral of a village head. MEC considered the voters by extending the registration period at all centres,” reads the statement in part.
According to the commission, in phase four, MEC was privileged by receiving new equipment, which was purchased by the development partners under the basket fund arrangement coordinated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The fifth phase started September 28 in Mangochi Town Council, Mangochi and Ntcheu districts, Dedza South, North and East constituencies. This phase is expected to end on 11 October 2013.
